A rare 1827 pattern George IV (1820-1830) Royal Navy officer’s sword made by Prosser, London.
The 742mm Prosser patent pipe-back blade has a pronounced yelmen measuring 280mm in length and terminates in a quill point.
The un-etched fighting blade is in excellent condition and is clean and bright with only a couple of very small spots of tarnish. The forte is nicely stamped with the maker’s mark of John Prosser below a crown.
The 1827 pattern, solid half-basket hilt is made of gilt brass and remains in excellent condition. The guard retains almost all of its original gilding. The inner folding guard is in perfect working order and the hinge is firm and strong. The mane of the highly detailed lion head pommel flows into the faceted back strap and the “D” guard extends from between the lion’s jaws. The grip collar has an integral ring through which the sword knot was threaded. The white shagreen grip is of the highest quality and in excellent condition. The three strands of twisted wire are present and tight. The blade is firm in the hilt.
The original Royal Navy sword knot is in remarkably good condition for its age.
The brass mounted black leather scabbard is original to the sword and is in good condition for its 190 plus years of age. The leather is showing its age and has two short splits above and below the middle ring band (see photos). The stitching is intact and the leather retains most of its original finish.
The gilt locket bears a maker’s cartouche with the details, “Prosser, Maker to the King and H.R.H The Lord High Admiral. London.” The king at the time was George IV and the Lord High Admiral was his brother William, later to become King William IV in 1830.
The scabbard has twin suspension rings as well as a frog stud. The gilt brass mounts are in very good condition and are firmly in place. The sword sheaths and draws smoothly and is held firmly within the scabbard.
This is a very good example of a rare early 1827 pattern Royal Navy officer’s fighting sword made by John Prosser between 1827 and June 1830, complete with its original sword knot and leather scabbard.
